Something going on at old market

As I pass Quality Market each day on the way to work, I have noticed some interior work being done. A new partition is being framed and Sheetrocked this week.

As I pass Quality Market each day on the way to work, I have noticed some interior work being done. A new partition is being framed and Sheetrocked this week.

— Terry F., Medford

Quality Market has been closed since May 2011 after longtime owners Richard L. and Rozanna Mulhollen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February of that year.

Something is indeed in the works at the 8,796-square-foot grocery store once known for its meat counter and delivery service, located just west of Hedrick Middle School on East Jackson Street in Medford.

Details are sketchy, but Eagle Point resident Herb Miller, who owns HAM Markets Inc., along with his wife, Anita Miller, is laying the groundwork to resurrect Quality Market. The Millers own several markets and delis in Jackson County, including Shortstop Market on North Pacific Highway, Woodland Heights Market in Eagle Point and Highway 99 Market in Talent.

Herb Miller declined to discuss plans but has initiated a business license process with the city, indicating he would sell groceries, beer and lottery tickets.

It's not clear whether the Millers will lease or buy the property. The Mulhollen family had obtained bankruptcy court approval to sell the Quality Market property to a company they had created, Phoenix Land & Development LLC, but that plan apparently failed. A deal to sell the market for $500,000 was approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank Alley in January 2011, but apparent objections by Sterling Bank, a creditor in the case, pushed the price to $525,000.

Court documents show the Mulhollens had until Aug. 31 to consummate a deal. According to state records, Phoenix Land & Development LLC was administratively dissolved Nov. 9. As of Friday afternoon, there was no indication of a transaction on the Jackson County online database; however, the state business name registry noted a new application for Quality Market — with no additional information — dated Nov. 15.

Looks like there will be more to come on this story, Terry. We'll keep you posted.

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